A teacher on the south coast whose life has been on hold for the past 20 months has been cleared of five counts of sexual-related offences dating back to the mid-90s when he was a teacher in Alberta.

George Sheppard was accused by one student, and charges were laid in October 2017. Sheppard, who was then principal of Fortune Bay Academy in St. Bernard’s, was placed on leave by the English School District.

Sheppard took the stand in his own defence. The verdict came in a courtroom in Alberta Friday afternoon.

Sheppard recounts being found not guilty on the first three charges, the fourth one was dropped and the fifth, the most serious one of sexual assault, not guilty. Then he says the judge told him, “Mr. Sheppard, you are free to go.”